Psychology annual lecture to explore controversy surrounding cognitive neuroscience
Controversy surrounding the extent to which detailed information about brain activity can enhance our understanding of ourselves and how we tick will be examined at the annual Sluckin Lecture on 3 May.
Professor Michael Eysenck, of the Royal Holloway, University of London, will deliver this year’s free public lecture ‘Cognitive Neuroscience: The Emperor’s New Clothes?’ which is hosted by the School of Psychology in the Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour. It will take place from 5pm to 6pm on Wednesday 3 May 2017 in Lecture Theatre 1, in the University of Leicester Centre for Medicine and will be followed by a drinks reception in the Centre for Medicine Reception Atrium.
The goal of cognitive neuroscience is to use detailed information about brain activity to enhance our understanding of human cognition. However, the extent to which this goal has been achieved has been the subject of considerable controversy.
Some experts argue that simply discovering where in the brain various cognitive processes occur is of very limited value. Other experts believe we are on the verge of the greatest breakthrough ever in understanding ourselves and how we tick.
Professor Andrew Colman of the School of Psychology, said: Michael Eysenck is undoubtedly one of the very greatest British psychologists. His 200-plus publications include more than 40 books, several of them runaway bestsellers.”